Summit Weekly Briefing of 11/1/22

Your Summit Weekly Briefing

By Jovani Contreras, Ethan Ignatovsky, Sean Quigley and Ashwath Vimal

Staff Editors

Disclaimer: Though the Weekly Briefings are no longer tagged in the Opinions section of Summit News and we try to remain as unbiased as possible, our opinions may show through in this article, especially in the “Actions” section.  

Content Warning: Mentions of explicit themes occur in the third section of “General News” and in “Actions”. 

Summit:

1. The Board of Directors of Summit Public Schools has officially announced that Cady Ching will be taking over as CEO for Diane Tavenner and will formally assume the position on July 1, 2023. Ms. Ching began her time with Summit Public Schools as the science teacher at Summit Prep and eventually transitioned to leading Human Resources. Please look at your emails for a more detailed account on Ms. Ching’s background. 
2. For everyone who applied either Early Action or Early Decision this Tuesday, we hope that everyone is happy with their applications! Take a couple days off from college affairs, it is certainly derserver! However, please remember that UC applications are due at the end of the month, so don’t take too long of a break and make sure to complete them along with the personal statements/essays!

General News:

1. A recent NBC News report states that rapper Ye formerly known as Kanye West settled with a former employee who alleged he “praised Hitler or Nazis in business meetings,” an allegation West denied. The report also says that six sources who have either worked with West or witnessed him in professional environments during the past five years have “heard him mention conspiracy theories about Jewish people or praise Hitler.” One former employee alleges he said Hitler “had some good qualities” and “wasn’t all bad” in 2018. “I feel like he was just kind of like looking around, like seeing like, how are people reacting?” a subject told NBC “He would say ‘I even love Hitler’ and then he would like pause for reactions.”
2. South Korea deployed 80 fighter jets after detecting 180 flights by North Korean warplanes in just a four-hour period last week, CNN reported on Friday. The flights, aerial exercises from within North Korean territory, came after North Korea tried a failed intercontinental ballistic missile test, prompting an evacuation warning in Japan, CBS News reports. The jets were, allegedly, an angry response to the U.S.-South Korea annual military drill, which began in mid-October amid North Korea’s nuclear threats. None of the warplanes breached the South Korean tactical border.

Health/Medicine: 

1. Amoxicillin, which is one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the United States is in short supply according to the Food and Drug Administration. The antibiotic is used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia and bronchitis, and  is one of many important things disrupted by recent supply chain issues. Two of the biggest Amoxicillin manufacturers, Sandoz and Hikma are aware of the situation and working towards combating it, a Hikma spokesperson was quoted saying, “We understand the importance of this medication and are looking at ways to increase production to meet current increased demand”, and a spokesperson for Sandoz said in an email to NBC news that the supply issues have been caused by pandemic, but they are “working with key stakeholders including governments to find ways to manage this critical situation”. The shortage is affecting the oral powder variation of the antibiotic, and amoxicillin can also be taken via chewable tablets or capsules. 
2. Hospitalizations for the flu are the highest they’ve been in the United States in 10 years according to officials. A big part of this problem is people not getting their flu shot. 5 million fewer doses of the influenza vaccine have been administered to US adults so far when compared to data for last year at this time, and is also down 6% for children when compared to pre-covid data. Pregnant women are also receiving the shot less, at a 5% decrease, this is worrisome to officials since the influzena vaccine not only protects the mother but the baby too. Dawn O’Connell, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ said this flu season doesn’t seem to be more severe then typical, but has come earlier then usual. 

Politics:

1. Joe Biden has urged Americans to stand against political violence as midterm elections approach. During a prime-time address on Wednesday, Biden argued that his predecessor Donald Trump’s claim that the election was stolen has become “an article of faith” amongst the alt-right. This address was delivered in Washington’s Union Station, a location within sight of the US capitol that was stormed by Trump’s supporters on January 6 of 2021. Biden’s statements have created little unity in the country, however, especially given its time during an ongoing election. A CBS News poll taken last month found that 63% percent of potential democratic voters say a properly functioning democracy is more important than an economy while 70% of potential republican voters said the opposite. Biden began his remarks by noting the similarities between the capitol riot and the recent attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, last week. The midterms will determine control of congress in the US and will test democracy further, with Biden stating, “I wish I could say the assault on our democracy had ended that day, but I cannot.” Biden stated that more than 300 election deniers were on the ballot this year, according to recent estimations. Biden called on voters to reject candidates who denied the legitimacy of the election. A poll held in October by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only 9% of adults think democracy is working well while 52% say it’s not.

Sports:

MLB: 

1. The Astros made history Wednesday night in game four of the World  when they threw the second no-hitter in World Series history, against the Philadelphia Phillies. Cristian Javier, the Astros starter, had a breakout regular season, pitching in 30 games, 25 starts, and limiting others teams damage with a 2.54 ERA. Javier carried that success onto the biggest stage of them all, throwing 6 innings of no-hit ball before being pulled due to his pitch count of 97. His bullpen picked him though, with Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly finishing off the no-no. Although it was a combined no-hitter, this is still an impressive achievement for a pitching staff to hold a team with an offense like the Phillies to no hits, especially on the biggest stage of them all. The only baserunners the Phillies had where Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh who where walked by Javier, and Kyle Schwarber who was walked by Pressly. This is the first World Series no-hitter since Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series. 
2. The Chicago White Sox have hired a new manager for the 2023 season and beyond. The man at the helm will be Pedro Grifol, has been the Royals bench coach since 2013, and becoming the 42nd manager in White Sox history will be his first managerial role. The White Sox have also hired former Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo as the new bench coach, as he was fired by the Blue Jays earlier this year. The Sox massively disappointed last year, finishing with a 81-81 record and missing the playoffs, after being predicted to win the AL Central by FanGraphs before the season started, Grifol will be expected to lead the team in a positive direction and make the playoffs at least. 

NBA: 

1. Kyrie Irving has been suspended for at least five games by his team, the Brooklyn Nets in the aftermath of a tweet he put out which referenced a book and movie filled with false and anti-semitic information about Jewish people. In a statement the Nets said, “We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no anti-semitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity… Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team”. Around four hours after the suspension was announced, Irving finally apologized. 
2. Dallas Mavericks star Luke Doncic has become just the third player in NBA history to have seven, 30 point games to begin a season. Doncic joins Hall of Famers Jack Twyman and Wilt Chamberlin in the exclusive club and is the first member to join in nearly 60 years. Doncic was a favorite to win the MVP award heading into the season, and was the number one choice by the leagues executives finishing in first place on the GM survey for MVP favorites with 48% of the vote, and his hot start is only bolstering the argument. After his latest game the 23-year-old Slovenian acknowledged being in the same group as a player like Chamberlin, “I always hear Wilt Chamberlin. He’s always there… I just wished to play in he NBA. This is really a dream for me”. 

NFL:

1. The Philadelphia Eagles are off to a historic start, as their 8-0 record is the franchises  best ever start to a season. The team, led by former second round quarterback Jalen Hurts, picked up their 8th win against Hurts’ hometown team, the Houston Texans, Thursday night. Hurts threw two touchdown passes in the game to go along with 243 passing yards and a completion percentage of 77% on 27 throws, but he wasn’t ready to celebrate the teams success quite yet, telling reporters after the game, “I know it’s special for the city of Philadelphia. I mean, I’ve been 8-0 before and lost the national championship. Just take it day by day… We haven’t accomplished anything yet. It’s a day by day thing of us controlling thing can”. As well as being 8-0 this season, the Eagles are now 11-0 in their last 11 regular season starts, and have a bright future ahead of them.
2. Amazon founder, owner of the Washington Post, and multibillionaire Jeff Bezos is reportedly interested in purchasing the Washington Commanders, and could buy the team along with rapper and actor Jay-Z. The Commanders are currently owned by Dan Snyder, who is the subject of a House Oversight Committee and an NFL investigation into alleged sexual harassment and financial misconduct, as well as the focus of an ESPN report which said Snyder was digging up dirt on other owners and the NFL’s commissioner Roger Goodell. Snyder has now hired Bank of America to explore the possibility of selling the team. Besides Bezos and Jay-Z, Byron Allen is reportedly interested in buying the team. Allen is the head of Entertainment Studios and previously tried to buy the Denver Broncos. 

Entertainment:

1. Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has stated that he will donate $500,000 after promoting an anti-semitic movie. Both Irving and the Brooklyn Nets said in a joint statement with the Anti-Defamation League on Wednesday that they will be donating to “causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities”. This announcement comes in the wake of Irving tweeting a link to the 2018 film Hebrews to Negroes by Ronald Dalton Jr. which contains anti-semitic tropes revolving around the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, a movement that states that black people are the real descendants of the ancient Israelites. Irving defended his statement during a postgame news conference on Saturday, but he removed the inciting post the next day. The Nets declined to comment when asked if Irving would receive discipline from the team, while the NBA did not comment on if Irving would face discipline from the league itself. The Nets did not make Irving available to reporters on Monday and Tuesday, with General Manager Sean Marks stating that the team hadn’t disciplined Irving because it was having talks with the Anti-Defamation League. Nets owner Joe Tsai condemned Irving’s statement in a tweet posted Friday that said, “I want to sit down and make sure he understands this is hurtful to all of us Three former NBA players who are part of the TNT broadcast team condemned the situation, with Shaquille O’Neal calling Irving an “Idiot” while Reggie Miller criticized other players for not speaking out against his comments.
2.  Toho has announced that it will release a new Japanese Godzilla film next year. Godzilla has been a cultural icon for 68 years, but in recent times the presence of the franchise has grown larger than ever due to box office successes in recent years. Toho, the film studio that owns Godzilla and licenses it to Legendary in the US, stated that it will produce and release a new film in the Godzilla franchise a year from Thursday, the anniversary of the 1st film. This new, currently untitled film will be the first Godzilla film made by Toho since Shin Godzilla in 2016. Prolific Filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki will direct the new film. The new film comes as audiences have more access to Godzilla than ever before due to streaming services. The box office success of the U.S. studio Legendary’s Monsterverse which includes the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong which was the third most in-demand movie across all streaming platforms from March of 2021 to October of 2022. Godzilla vs. Kong was one of the first films to hit theaters after the Covid-19 pandemic, and made more than $468 Million in global sales. A sequel is currently planned for 2024. Godzilla first appeared in 1954 in Japan’s Gojira and then in later films produced in the monster’s home country. The first Godzilla film made in the US came out in 1998, receiving bad reviews from critics. Tohos most recent Godzilla film has made revenue as well, outperforming Godzilla vs. Kong In Japan and creeping into US demand. An anime trilogy, created by Toho animation and Polygon, was released in 2017 while Legendary television is creating a Godzilla series for Apple TV.

Cooking: Instant Pot Mac & Cheese

Total time: 15 minutes    Yield: 6 servings

Equipment: 

• Instant Pot
• Box grater 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of elbow macaroni
• 1 tbsp of salt
• ¾ cup of heavy cream
• 1 cup of grated parmesan
• 2 cups of cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. The pasta, water, and salt go into the Instant Pot. 
2. Lock the lid and pressure cook for 3 minutes. 
3. Quick release the steam so the macaroni noodles don’t overcook. 
4. Open the lid and stir in the cheeses and heavy cream. 
5. Serve and enjoy

Actions: 

Editor’s note: The “Actions” section includes petitions to sign, prompts and scripts to write officials with as well as other opportunities to engage in your local, national and global communities.

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